6 million euros in economic damage from computer fraud - SPAK: Call centers encourage individuals to invest in fake online platforms
Over 6 million euros is expected to be the economic damage from computer fraud in 2024. According to the SPAK Annual Report, during the past year, the number of computer frauds committed by structured criminal groups has increased, which cause considerable economic damage to victims.
But how do computer fraud schemes work?
Initially, several companies are set up with the specific aim of defrauding citizens. These companies create several fake online investment platforms, such as "Absolut Global Markets", "Aurum Pro" and "Finaxis".
They use call centers in Albania, North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Georgia, whose employees call various individuals to encourage them to invest in these platforms. The investment is fake and results in the theft of large sums of money from people who fall prey to such a scheme.
Although the number of criminal proceedings has decreased by 19% compared to 2023, the number of proceedings sent for trial has reached a total of 7 during the past year. Data from the SPAK report shows that computer fraud in Albania is most frequent in the areas of Tirana, Durrës and Vlora.
SPAK's investigations show that Albania has become an important hub for criminal networks that exploit legal space, technology and free labor to commit massive computer fraud. Criminal groups are closely linked to the cyber black market, operating not only with financial fraud, but also with the trafficking of personal data.
Computer fraud refers to the insertion, alteration, deletion or removal of computer data or interference with the functioning of a computer system, with the aim of securing for oneself or third parties, by fraud, an unfair economic benefit, or to cause a third party to lose their property. Such a criminal offense is punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 6 years. When it is committed in collaboration, to the detriment of several persons, more than once or when it has led to serious material consequences, it is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 15 years.
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